Turkish Foreign Minister Plans Visit to New Syrian Administration
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has announced his intention to visit Damascus to meet with officials from the newly established Syrian administration, which emerged following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime on December 8. In a recent interview, Fidan emphasized the significance of high-level international engagement with the new government, noting that delegations from the United States and various European countries have recently visited Syria.
Fidan expressed his commitment to facilitating the voluntary return of Syrian refugees currently residing in Türkiye and other countries. He underscored that the return process must be safe and dignified, stating, "Syrians cannot be forced to return," and he anticipates a notable increase in repatriations in the future.
Turkey's Stance on Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Regional Dynamics
During the interview, Fidan addressed Turkey's classification of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as a terrorist organization, explaining that this designation aligns with United Nations resolutions. However, he noted that Turkey has not observed any terrorist activities linked to HTS in the past decade, a view supported by Western intelligence assessments. He acknowledged HTS's cooperation with Turkey in intelligence operations against groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda, a sensitive topic that had not been publicly discussed before.
Fidan also commented on the geopolitical landscape, including the roles of Russia and Iran in Syria. He suggested that both countries are reassessing their positions following the regime change, with Russia's President Vladimir Putin remaining closely tied to the situation. Regarding the U.S. military presence in Syria, Fidan indicated an increase in American troops, which he believes is being justified under the guise of combating ISIS.
